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Rwanda Case Law

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Criminal law

NTEZIRYAYO v. UBUSHINJACYAHA

Urukiko rw'Ubujurire rwemeye ubujurire bwa Nteziryayo Damien, rusanga isaka ryakozwe nta ruhushya rw'Ubushinjacyaha ritemewe, bityo rutesha agaciro ibikomoka kuri ryo.

  • Drug trafficking
  • Cannabis
  • Search and seizure
  • Exclusion of evidence
  • Illegally obtained evidence
  • Appeal
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Criminal law RPAA 00275/2025/CA

SINDAYIGAYA v. UBUSHINJACYAHA

The court held that the search and seizure were lawful under Article 65 since the appellant was caught in flagrante delicto, and that the quantity and circumstances of the drugs, along with corroborating witness testimony and the appellant's own admissions, justified conviction for drug trafficking and consumption. The appeal was dismissed and the lower court's sentence upheld.

  • Drug offences
  • Search and seizure
  • Sentencing
  • Appeals
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Constitutional law RLR V.3-2024

Re MURANGWA (Fond)

The Court held that the issuance of search warrants by the Public Prosecution, rather than the judiciary, and the conduct of searches without a warrant in specified circumstances, do not violate the cited constitutional provisions. The Court found that Rwandan law provides adequate safeguards and judicial remedies for rights violations during searches, and that the challenged statutory language is not inconsistent with the Constitution. The Court also held that requests for statutory interpretation or amendment are outside its jurisdiction in a constitutional petition.

  • Search and seizure
  • Due process
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Judicial review
  • Human rights
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Constitutional law RLR V.3-2024

Re MURANGWA (ADD)

The Supreme Court held that Murangwa Edward had standing to challenge provisions of Rwanda’s investigation and criminal procedure laws, and set the case to continue.

  • Standing
  • Unconstitutionality
  • Search and seizure
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Media rights
  • Privacy
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Constitutional law

RLR V. 3- 2024

The challenged provisions of Law No. 12/2017 and Law No. 027/2019 are not inconsistent with Articles 13, 14, 23, 24, 29, 43, and 61 of the Constitution. The Constitution allows the legislature to determine the procedures and authorities for searches and investigations. The law provides sufficient safeguards for the rights of persons subject to search, including judicial review and remedies. The terms 'reasonable grounds', 'substantial evidence', and 'serious grounds' are not so vague as to be unconstitutional, and their interpretation is not a matter for a constitutional petition. The request…

  • Petition for declaration of unconstitutionality
  • Search and seizure
  • Criminal investigation
  • Media and suspects' rights
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Constitutional law RS/INCONST/SPEC 00001/2022/SC

Re MURANGWA

The Supreme Court rejected a constitutional challenge to search and seizure rules, holding that warrantless searches and prosecutorial warrants with safeguards were constitutional.

  • Search and seizure
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Separation of powers
  • Right to privacy
  • Right to fair trial
  • Search-and-seizure
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Constitutional law RLR V.3-2024

Re MURANGWA 2023

The Supreme Court upheld Rwanda’s search-and-seizure framework, finding that prosecution-issued warrants and certain warrantless searches were constitutional.

  • Search and seizure
  • Presumption of innocence
  • Right to privacy
  • Judicial review
  • Criminal investigations
  • Search-and-seizure
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Constitutional law RLR V.3-2024

Re MURANGWA (SPEC-ADD)

The Supreme Court held that Murangwa Edward has standing to challenge the constitutionality of the impugned statutory provisions because the laws in question apply to all persons in Rwanda, including the applicant, and may affect his fundamental rights. The Court reaffirmed that standing in constitutional litigation is interpreted broadly, and it is sufficient if the applicant is among those affected by the law, without the need to show actual harm. The Court also recognized standing for public interest litigation and for advocates acting in the interest of justice.

  • Standing to challenge legislation
  • Constitutionality of statutes
  • Rights of accused persons
  • Search and seizure
  • Media and privacy
  • Public interest litigation
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Rwanda decisions are organised by court, judge, legal area and indexed issue so a practitioner can move from a proposition to a citable authority with the surrounding context intact.